We have to be missing something somewhere. Honestly, I feel conned coming up on some of the technological advancements of the past. This time it is this 1868 Boring Machine. It is safe to assume that it was not invented in its final state pictured below. There had to be some development, and may be some intermediate models in existence prior to 1868. I just do not see how you come up with something like this from the ground up without any development involved.

Note: In the...

1868 boring machine, and some other equipment examples